Advertise on podcast: Fruit of Your Labor

A few months ago, KeHE’s distribution center in Romeoville, Illinois, began piloting an employee store as a way to give back to employees by offering great products at affordable prices. We sat down with Mike Kimery and Jackie Olney, two employees who spearheaded the opening of the store, to learn more about the store and how it's helping KeHE cut down on food waste.

January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month. To bring awareness to this widespread issue, we sat down with Simone Halpin – Co-founder and Executive Director of Naomi’s House in Wheaton, Illinois – to hear about her organization and how it is helping countless women work through the trauma of their past and build a healthy future on their own terms. To learn more about Naomi’s House, you can visit https://www.naomishouse.org/.

Have you ever heard the term “Impact Investing” but weren't sure what it was? If so, you’re in luck! Today's episode is divided into two parts. First, the President of the KeHE Cares Foundation, Rusty Bland, will explain what Impact Investing at KeHE means. Then, we will hear from two representatives from Pureflow, a beneficiary of KeHE's Impact Fund, to learn about their incredible lease-to-own motorcycle program in East Africa. You can learn more about Pureflow by visiting their website, www.pureflowboda.com.   

Multiple times each year, groups of KeHE employees have the opportunity to go on serving trips to Laredo, Texas. In this episode, we interviewed the two people in charge of the ministry – Pastors Luis and Lucy De Leon – to hear about the impact that our KeHE employee groups make in Laredo, and to learn more about how their ministry started. Learn more about the ministry by visiting www.newvisioncommunitychurch.org.

Join us as we sit down with KeHE President & CEO Deb Conklin as she answers questions submitted by employees. We get a glimpse into her professional journey and hear her vision for the future of KeHE.

Each September KeHE Cares hosts the Shaw Cup golf event to raise support for partners who are making an impact in their local communities. One of the organizations that was a recipient of last year’s fundraising was DeWanna’s Closet in Lake Charles, Louisiana. In this episode, their founder, DeWanna Tarver, shares their story of supporting school children. To learn more: Shaw Cup DeWanna’s Closet Food for Thought

KeHE maintains an ESOP—Employee Stock Ownership Plan—a retirement fund for employees. Each year a new share price is announced as well as the percentage of wages that KeHE contributes to employees’ account. On today’s episode two employees, Dottie Owens and Chris Singelton, share their stories of being in the program, reaction to the new share price, and what the ESOP means for their future.

Serving is one of the core pillars of the KeHE Cares® Foundation. At KeHE serving is about getting shoulder to shoulder and eye to eye with our marginalized brothers and sisters around the world. Randy Shaw—Director of KeHE Cares Outreach—has been a key part of our journey from giving to hands-on serving, and today he shares that journey with us!   Learn more at kehecares.org/Serving-and-Giving-at-KeHE-Cares

KeHE Cares® has partnered with Compassion International for 6 years now. One way we support them is by sponsoring Child Development Centers in Central America. These centers provide wholistic care for children in poverty, pouring into their mind, body, and soul. Not only are children’s lives being transformed but whole families and communities as well. Learn more about our partnership: https://mcr.compassion.com/kehe/

We’re kicking off season four with an inspiring story from Michelle DuFresne, a recently retired VP of Sales. She walks us through her professional journey from finance to sales as well as her many experiences with KeHE’s cultural of serving. Her story culminates with a recent opportunity to serve others in her everyday life.

At KeHE we are committed to caring for our planet and protecting the environment. We measure our progress in four focus areas: transportation, waste, refrigerants, and energy. Our ECOtrade™ program supports brands who make actionable commitments to climate and sustainability. Today on the podcast, two ECOtrade™ committee members—Gabriela Reyes, Fresh Retail Specialist, and Kasia Kedzierska, Brand Activation & Content Manager—share all about the program, their passion, and sustainability at KeHE. Learn more about ECOtrade™ and our sustainability goals at www.kehe.com/ecotrade/.

Join us as we sit down with KeHE President & CEO Brandon Barnholt as he answers questions submitted by employees. We get a glimpse into his professional journey, what makes KeHE culture so unique, and his vision for the future.